After a lot of recent travel and experiencing different cultures and ways of being in life, I am reflecting. Reflecting on how there are so many ways of engaging in life and (as this is me) engaging with clothes. Dressing, wearing, shopping, consuming clothes.
I have been from Hong Kong to Dubai, Paris and Northern France, and back through Dubai to Hong Kong. How differently clothes are utilised in each place I visited! These are only a few places, clearly with diverse lifestyles, but there are many more diverse places around the world. I am working with what I have, so here are some observations and reflections from this time.
Depending upon location, clothing is engaged with in dramatically different ways.
Dubai, from the airport alone, is a place for luxury goods. People show their wealth and express themselves through what they wear. People are dressed in designer and luxury brands, alternatively wearing something impressive regardless of authenticity. It is a place to look amazing and be “on” constantly. People are branded in their experiences of life: restaurants, hotels, residences and clothing. It is luxury all the way, regardless of how real and genuine it is.
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Hong Kong is a different animal from Dubai. Not drastically, just further along the evolution of new and upcoming places. Hong Kong was just like Dubai two decades ago. Now, Hong Kong has a quieter sense of luxury, discreet but no less expensive. It does have a “high-low” option, as well as fast fashion. However, the fashion has much less visibility; it is less flashy and more chic or low-key.
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France, Paris included, is such a different vibe. Big western cities are always fascinating. We expect them to be glamorous and on the leading edge of fashion, but they are quite different. People living there have to deal with the realities of urban life. Its people deal with life in a more practical way through clothing. They wear sneakers, flats and “easy” clothes. None of the glamorous, luxe (uncomfortable) looks of the other places.
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So what do we learn from this?
Slower fashion places have less consideration for fashion trends; it is more lifestyle-focused.
Luxury fashion is fun. All Fashion can be fun.
We all consume; fashion just varies.
We consume anyway
You are reading this (presumably) because you are interested in a more Sustainable Fashion future, being more conscious in your consumption of fashion and clothing. It is very difficult to escape the consumer cycle. Everyday life is full of ways to shop and buy and messages to make us feel we “need” something. Fashion is to be loved and enjoyed, and being conscious around it provides options. Being mindful has us become influential in our choices.
What to do next:
Consider where you are on your fashion journey
Why are you interested in Sustainable Fashion?
What are you committed to in the future of fashion
We all make an impact; what can we do to lessen our impact?
Best regards
Kate Padget-Koh